Ex-diplomat confident new interlocutor for Hills will find solution
The Statesman | 1 November 2025
A fresh wave of political expectation has swept through the Darjeeling Hills after the Centre appointed former deputy National Security Adviser and retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as the interlocutor for the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars region.
The move — seen as a renewed attempt to address the region’s long-standing identity and administrative concerns — has reignited the hopes of Gorkha residents, even as it has drawn a mix of optimism and scepticism.
On social media, many Hill residents and Gorkha aspirants have voiced confidence that the two parliamentarians from the region — Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla — will play a key role in realising the long-cherished dream of Gorkhaland. “With both MPs representing the Hills and a seasoned officer like Pankaj Singh leading the dialogue, our hopes are alive again,” one post read, reflecting the prevailing sentiment among sections of the youth.
However, not everyone shares the enthusiasm. Some political observers and residents have questioned the timing of the appointment, describing it as a pre-poll strategy or a political token gesture to pacify Hill sentiment ahead of upcoming elections. Critics argue that similar initiatives in the past have failed to yield tangible results, and the region’s issues remain unresolved.
Despite the divided opinions, MP Raju Bista has continued to express optimism. He has termed the Centre’s decision as a “significant step” towards finding a permanent and honourable solution for the people of the Hills, Terai, and Dooars, urging residents to support the process with faith and patience.
Echoing his colleague’s confidence, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a former diplomat and native of Darjeeling, said Pankaj Singh’s administrative experience and understanding of sensitive national issues make him “well-equipped to carry forward the dialogue.” Mr Shringla added that he was confident Singh’s tenure would be instrumental in addressing the aspirations and concerns of the Gorkha community.